Jays’ Buehrle exploits Astros’ feeble lineup

TORONTO — In two years, the Astros should have hitters who see, react and adjust collectively during a game.

Thursday, it was merely 34-year-old lefthander Mark Buehrle throwing near no-hit stuff, the Astros blowing through their 11th shutout in 101 games, and the underperforming Blue Jays capturing their first victory in eight contests via a smooth 4-0 win at Rogers Centre.

Buehrle needed just 108 pitches (74 strikes) and 2 hours, 18 minutes to erase the Astros. He had nine strikeouts — his most in seven years — and recorded his first shutout since a perfect game against Tampa Bay on July 23, 2009.

“What we witnessed (Thursday) was an experienced major league pitcher that executed a game plan,” Astros manager Bo Porter said. “Obviously, they watch film; they watch our hitters. And it was pretty evident that he had a good game plan of how he was going to attack our hitters. And I just don’t think we did a good job of making an adjustment of when we went through the lineup once and definitely not even a second time.”

Seven of the Astros’ nine batters went hitless, with a clear hole continuing to show in the 4-8 spots. J.D. Martinez’s seventh-inning double to left-center field was the team’s only extra-base hit.

Bedard out early again

Buehrle attacked soft and away and with a hard cutter in. The efficient, veteran approach against a long-struggling lineup that ranks 29th out of 30 teams in batting average (.234) and on-base percentage (.293) and last in strikeouts (936) wiped away five more strong innings from Astros lefty Erik Bedard, who has thrown 111⁄3 frames of three-hit, two-earned-run ball since the All-Star break and has two losses to show for it.

A partial reason for Bedard’s declining record is his pitch count. He removed himself after throwing 61⁄3 no-hit innings last Saturday against Seattle after reaching 109 pitches. Thursday, Bedard saw Harrell warming up in the fifth inning and immediately knew his night was nearly over, despite the Astros’ being down only 1-0 in a winnable road game against a struggling club and despite being at only 95 pitches in a return to his native Ontario.

“I was getting a little sore, so that was the perfect timing for that,” said Bedard, who fell to 3-8 but improved his ERA to 4.28.

He joked: “I’m glad I gave up a hit in the first inning so there’s no controversy.”

Not taking to new role

Harrell continued to be hittable as a reliever. Since being moved to the bullpen July 7, the Astros’ former No. 2 starter has given up 15 hits, eight runs and nine walks in 11 1⁄3 innings during four relief appearances.

The Astros also continued to flat-line when they don’t homer. They fell to 6-38 without a long ball and have been shut out in 10.8 percent of their games.

Toronto regularly blasted Bedard’s off-speed material into the stands behind third base. But the Blue Jays didn’t officially make a real connection until Edwin Encarnacion slammed a 79 mph curve off the right-field wall in the fifth. The double scored Jose Bautista, who drew a two-out walk, and gave Toronto a 1-0 lead.

Harrell gave up back-to-back walks to start the seventh. An RBI double by Adam Lind followed, and a sharp two-run single by Macier Izturis completed Toronto’s three-run inning and assured the Astros’ 67th defeat.

The Astros are on pace for 108 losses and must turn their year around — going 29-32 the rest of the way — to avoid a third consecutive 100-loss campaign. With Wednesday’s non-waiver trade deadline hovering and the final two months of the schedule stacked with playoff-caliber teams and American League West clubs, turning 2013 into something more than the No. 1 overall pick in 2014 is becoming more difficult with each remaining game.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

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July 28: Blue Jays 2, Astros 1

Despite the loss, Astros pitcher Jarred Cosart was effective in his third start.

July 28: Blue Jays 2, Astros 1

Despite the loss, Astros pitcher Jarred Cosart was effective in his third start.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

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Robbie Grossman of the Astros makes a catch for an out.

Robbie Grossman of the Astros makes a catch for an out.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

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Brett Wallace of the Astros is unable to locate a ball hit in foul territory.

Brett Wallace of the Astros is unable to locate a ball hit in foul territory.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

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Astros pitcher Jarred Cosart delivers a throw to the Blue Jays.

Astros pitcher Jarred Cosart delivers a throw to the Blue Jays.

Photo: Jon Blacker / Associated Press/The Canadian Press

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Brett Wallace of the Astros is congratulated by third base coach Dave Trembley after a solo home run in the fourth inning.

Brett Wallace of the Astros is congratulated by third base coach Dave Trembley after a solo home run in the fourth inning.

Photo: Jon Blacker / Associated Press/The Canadian Press

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Brett Wallace of the Astros is congratulated in the dugout for his solo shot in the fourth inning.

Brett Wallace of the Astros is congratulated in the dugout for his solo shot in the fourth inning.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

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Marc Krauss of the Astros steals a base against the Blue Jays.

Marc Krauss of the Astros steals a base against the Blue Jays.

Photo: Jon Blacker / Associated Press/The Canadian Press

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Rajai Davis of the Blue Jays steals second base in the fourth inning during as Jonathan Villar of the Astros jumps for the ball on a throwing error.

Rajai Davis of the Blue Jays steals second base in the fourth inning during as Jonathan Villar of the Astros jumps for the ball on a throwing error.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

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Blue Jays pitcher Todd Redmond delivers a throw to the Astros.

Blue Jays pitcher Todd Redmond delivers a throw to the Astros.

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Rajai Davis of the Blue Jays is tagged out at home plate by Carlos Corporan of the Astros in the fourth inning.

Rajai Davis of the Blue Jays is tagged out at home plate by Carlos Corporan of the Astros in the fourth inning.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

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Astros outfielder Brandon Barnes prevents a ball from leaving the park during the eighth inning.

Astros outfielder Brandon Barnes prevents a ball from leaving the park during the eighth inning.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

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July 27: Astros 8, Blue Jays 6

Brett Wallace of the Astros makes a hit against the Blue Jays.

July 27: Astros 8, Blue Jays 6

Brett Wallace of the Astros makes a hit against the Blue Jays.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

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Astros outfielder Justin Maxwell steals a base against the Blue Jays.

Astros outfielder Justin Maxwell steals a base against the Blue Jays.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

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Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel makes a throw against the Blue Jays.

Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel makes a throw against the Blue Jays.

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Astros shortstop Jonathan Villar turns a double play.

Astros shortstop Jonathan Villar turns a double play.

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Chris Carter of the Astros is congratulated after hitting a home run.

Chris Carter of the Astros is congratulated after hitting a home run.

Photo: Jon Blacker / Associated Press/Canadian Press

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Chris Carter of the Astros is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a home run.

Chris Carter of the Astros is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a home run.

Photo: Jon Blacker / Associated Press/Canadian Press

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Justin Maxwell of the Astros is congratulated by teammate Brandon Barnes after a solo home run in the fourth inning.

Justin Maxwell of the Astros is congratulated by teammate Brandon Barnes after a solo home run in the fourth inning.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

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Justin Maxwell of the Astros hits a solo home run against the Blue Jays.

Justin Maxwell of the Astros hits a solo home run against the Blue Jays.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

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Astros third baseman Matt Dominguez is congratulated by teammate Brandon Barnes after hitting a home run.

Astros third baseman Matt Dominguez is congratulated by teammate Brandon Barnes after hitting a home run.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

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Astros third baseman Matt Dominguez is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a home run.

Astros third baseman Matt Dominguez is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a home run.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

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Dallas Keuchel of the Astros delivers a pitch to the Blue Jays.

Dallas Keuchel of the Astros delivers a pitch to the Blue Jays.

Photo: Jon Blacker / Associated Press/Canadian Press

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Blue Jays pitcher Josh Johnson makes a throw to the Astros.

Blue Jays pitcher Josh Johnson makes a throw to the Astros.

Photo: Jon Blacker / Associated Press/Canadian Press

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July 26: Blue Jays 12, Astros 6

Jordan Lyles of the Astros delivers a pitch to the Blue Jays.

July 26: Blue Jays 12, Astros 6

Jordan Lyles of the Astros delivers a pitch to the Blue Jays.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

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Jordan Lyles of the Astros delivers a pitch to the Blue Jays.

Jordan Lyles of the Astros delivers a pitch to the Blue Jays.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

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Blue Jays pitcher R.A. Dickey makes a throw to the Astros.

Blue Jays pitcher R.A. Dickey makes a throw to the Astros.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

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Jose Bautista of the Blue Jays is unable to get to a home run hit by Marc Krauss of the Astros.

Jose Bautista of the Blue Jays is unable to get to a home run hit by Marc Krauss of the Astros.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

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J.D. Martinez of the Astros congratulates Marc Krauss on his two-run home run during the second inning.

J.D. Martinez of the Astros congratulates Marc Krauss on his two-run home run during the second inning.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

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Maicer Izturis of the Blue Jays gets the out at second base during as Brett Wallace of the Astros slides.

Maicer Izturis of the Blue Jays gets the out at second base during as Brett Wallace of the Astros slides.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

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Astros shortstop Jonathan Villar makes a throw in the infield.

Astros shortstop Jonathan Villar makes a throw in the infield.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

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Chris Carter of the Astros congratulates teammate Jose Altuve after scoring a run.

Chris Carter of the Astros congratulates teammate Jose Altuve after scoring a run.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images

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Jose Reyes of the Blue Jays celebrates his solo home run in the third inning.

Jose Reyes of the Blue Jays celebrates his solo home run in the third inning.